Myglobalmind: First of all congratulations on the new record, is quite a sound you guys have managed to create on “Last Woman Standing”.

Erik: Thank you so much. Yeah, I’m very satisfied with how the record turned out. We gave it a lot of hard work and we kind of knew what sound we wanted from the beginning. The harder it gets selling records, the more important it is, that those who buy the album gets a great sounding product. Almost anyone can make a decent sounding recording nowadays with a computer and some other minor stuff, but a full range production demands spending some serious time in a professional recording studio and that’s what we did.

Myglobalmind: Before we get into the album in detail, can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? Where are you from, how did you get involved in the band? Etc

Erik: I’m 28 years old, grew up in a mid sized swedish town called Norrköping. Started out playing the guitar at the age of 14. I did never take any lessons or so, just learned myself from listening to records and so on. I have actually never been interested at all in playing cover songs or so, I started out early making my own music. Henrik Sproge (keys) and I founded Miss Behaviour together back in 2003, when we both attended the music management school in a town called Kalmar. We shared a passion for melodic rock of the 80s.

Myglobalmind: The obvious influence from 80s Melodic Hard Rock and AOR is evident in every song, from the keyboards to the smooth vocals and choruses. At what point in time did you decide that you wanted to perform this type of music? What are some of your personal influences for this type of music?

Erik: When I was younger I was more in to heavy metal, listening a lot to bands like Iron Maiden and other NWOBHM bands. Later on I discovered the melodic rock and AoR genre with bands like Foreigner, Journey, Toto, Magnum, Europe etc and was totally in to that, and I still am! I guess it’s the fact that melodies are always in focus, and a certain atmosphere that appeals to me.

Myglobalmind: I have to say the rock music that comes out of Sweden in the genre is superb!!! What’s the deal up there with this music, you have bands like The Poodles, Crazy Lixx, Crash Diet etc…..What’s the fan base like up there?

Erik: It’s definitely a revival in the genre. We are friends with bands like Houston and Eclipse and besides those great bands you have HEAT, Poodles etc. I have no good answer to why there are so many of these bands coming up in Sweden nowadays, but unfortunately the fan base aren’t that big..yet. We have a lot more fans in germany, italy, greece, uk and so on. Let’s change this situation with the arrival of Last Woman Standing 😉

Myglobalmind: Let’s talk a bit about the new album “Last Woman Standing”. Explain the title for us if you don’t mind? And talk about the songwriting process for the new record?

Erik: Last Woman Standing is not a concept album, but in the brand of Miss Behaviour, our album covers and lyric wise we have this woman as a sort of mascot. A fictional person if you like. Giving an album a title like ”Last man standing” isn’t really unique. We also have a female singer, doing a duet with Sebastian on the title track and the lyrics tell a story of a woman, struggling a bit with life. You can call her Cynthia if you like!

Henrik is our main songwriter, but both me and Seb has been pretty involved to. Henrik and I did a pre production of all songs in my home studio and then we entered Realtime Recording studios in Norrköping to do the foundations. Later Seb did the vocals in his and his fathers studio, outside Norrköping. Roland Grapow did his parts in his studio in Slovakia. The mixing was done by the great Mr. Daniel Gese in his Realtime recording studio.

Myglobalmind: The guitar playing is magnificent, I think it really captures the sound quite well. How long have you been playing? What type of guitar do you use in the studio and in live performances?

Erik: Thank you so much! I picked up the guitar at the age of 14, learned myself through practicing and listening a lot to music. My heroes are Yngwie Malmsteen, Neil Schon, Kee Marcello, Richie Sambora, Steve Lukather etc, but I’ll never be as good as them…

I mainly use a Fender strat, but also a G&L F100 and a Jackson. On the album I played it through a Fender EVH amp, a Laney GH100R and an Eleven Rack, which I also use live.

Myglobalmind: Also the keyboards on the opening track “1988” and on some of the other more AOR songs is really cool. How important we’re the keys of Henrik Sproge in this record?

Erik: Very important. Henrik loves fat and fluffy keyboard sounds and is very inspired by guys like the great Mark Stanway of Magnum. He started out as a drummer but when he became more and more into songwriting he picked up the keyboards instead. I’m glad for that. Not that he totally sucked on drums, but keyboards is ultimate for him. He is also self-learned, this gives him a unique style of playing I think. He’s great.

Myglobalmind: How did you guys hook up with Avenue of Allies for this upcoming release?

Erik: For us it was important to find a record company that could do Last Woman Standing justice. We had contact with various labels but the great Mr. Gregor Klee of AOA gave us a good offer, but more important is his skills in promotion, knowing the genre and last but not least, commitment!

Myglobalmind: The song “Perfect War” has a metal touch with special guitar solo by the one and only Roland Grapow (Masterplan, Ex-Helloween), how did this come about?

Erik: Yeah, this song stands out a little bit. It was the first song written for the album and it relates a bit to our heritage in heavier rock and heavy metal. We are fans of Helloween and Roland has always been a favorite guitar player and songwriter. We simply hooked up with him and asked him to do this solo, who is amazing. It’s an honor for me!

Myglobalmind: How much touring has the band done locally and outside of the country? Do you look forward to possibly hitting the road in support of the new record?

Erik: Absolutely! Right now we’re working on finding a suitable solution to this. We have done some performances during the years, but never an own tour. We hope that we can find a way to hit the road.

Myglobalmind: I read you guys have shared the stage with H.E.A.T. and The Poodles, it seems like the bands up there all get along great and is all about the music, and well a bit of party too I’m sure. What do you do when you have some down time?

Erik: Yeah, we have had the honor to support these bands at various gigs in Sweden during the years and I am a fan of both of them. The guys in HEAT are great, Dave, one of the guitar players is one of my favorite ”new” guitarists. He’s just amazing.

Unfortunately I don’t have that much down time I’m afraid, but listening to music, watching ”Seinfeld” or driving to various Alfa Romeo meetings is things I love to do. Both Henrik and me are committed to Italian cars.

Myglobalmind: Any particular person, doesn’t have to be a musician that has been very influential in your life?

Erik: Tricky question… Yngwie Malmsteen for guitar genius and a fantastic life story, Jerry Seinfeld for comedy genius, Michael Schumacher for amazing driving skills, Richard Branson for great entrepreneurship, my love Madelene and my family for all the love and support they give me.

Myglobalmind: If I was to visit Sweden what special food dish would I definitely have to taste?

Erik: In late august we have these crayfish party’s, combined with Swedish schnapps and wearing silly hats. That’s great fun!

Myglobalmind: Alright talk about the dress code in the band, I say it takes some balls to wear some of the clothes that bands in the Glam/Rock scene wear, what do you think?

Erik: Yeah haha, but the visual part is very important I think. In this genre you can’t do like the grunge bands, wearing outworn cardigans and wooly hats. Silly hats are ok…when going to a crayfish party ;-).

I don’t wanna pay an expensive ticket fee to see guys looking average. You have to dress up for the job, just like you expect a banker to wear a tie! But I don’t think we are extreme in any way.

Myglobalmind: Let’s wrap it up with your thoughts and expectations on your new record “Last Woman Standing” and what can a new listener to the band expect when they pick it up?

Erik: They can expect a great sounding album, filled with catchy melodic rock songs, delivered the scandinavian way. I’m very excited and hope that this album will make us a name in the genre, and of course I hope to be able to tour, spreading the music and spirit of Miss Behaviour!

Myglobalmind: Thanks Erik the famous last words are yours!!!

Erik: A huge thank you for letting me talk about us and our new album, it’s been my pleasure! Make sure to check out ”Last Woman Standing” out on January 28th!

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